Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Man Utd to take over as head coach if Michael Carrick is sacked, yet the Argentine has been strongly urged to make a U-turn
Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Man United to take over as head coach if Michael Carrick is sacked
Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has urged Mauricio Pochettino to walk away from the Manchester United job while he still can, warning the Argentine that "there is definitely a bigger issue than just changing the manager" at Old Trafford.
Pochettino has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Man United to take over as head coach if Michael Carrick is sacked, with the Red Devils' hierarchy set to make a final decision on the Englishman's future at a summit in Monaco on Wednesday (Nov. 11).
Following Sunday's thrilling 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, in which the team came from two goals behind on two separate occasions to salvage a point, United have now recorded their worst start to a Premier League season for 40 years, as they languish in the relegation zone after 10 games.
As a result, Carrick's tenure as head coach is on a knife edge, and despite being handed a stay of execution after last month's 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League, momentum is now gathering behind a change in the dugout at Old Trafford.
Pochettino has emerged as the most likely candidate to take on the role, having held talks with United on three occasions prior to this, and it now seems that both parties will finally take the leap.
The only issue to resolve is that Pochettino is currently contracted as the head coach of the USMNT, which carries a $9.3 million release clause in the Argentinian's contract, though this is not thought to be an issue for United.
Michael Carrick
Carrick took Manchester United training as usual on Wednesday, but a final decision on his future is set to be made by the end of today (Nov. 11)
While talks and final details remain ongoing, Lovren has sent a major warning to his former Southampton head coach ahead of signing on the dotted line with United, believing he would be better off staying away from the job.
"I know Mauricio Pochettino really well, and I know what he likes, but I don't see him at Man Utd. He's quite smart and knows what's going on around the club, and there is definitely a bigger issue than just changing the manager," Lovren told Hajper.
"Even with Michael Carrick, you feel there is something good in him, but there is a bigger issue. The foundations are not quite right.
"There is a period where things can go wrong, but now it's getting out of hand for how many years Manchester United has not been at the top for such a big club. I believe they deserve and always need to be in the top four, but you don't see it."
Mauricio Pochettino and Dejan Lovren
Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren previously played under Pochettino at Southampton
As things stand, Carrick took training as normal at Carrington on Wednesday, while Pochettino is due to take charge of the USA in games against Haiti on Saturday and next Wednesday.
However, it is understood that talks are set to accelerate with the US Soccer Federation (USSF) over when the former Tottenham Hotspur manager can be released from his contract, which he extended in August and commits him to lead the USMNT through the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Pochettino is said to love his job with the USA, but feels he cannot say no to Manchester United, and is reportedly ready to take over at Old Trafford if United ultimately decides to make a change at head coach.